Employers
of Choice attract and retain quality people who are engaged and
focused on their jobs. Focused, committed, long term employees are
a key factor in business success. In today's competitive and
diverse job market, the way to become an "Employer of
Choice" is to create a Respectful Workplace Culture. This
means a workplace where respect is a core organizational value
reflected in every business practice.
"Employers
of Choice" understand the importance of having leaders who
"Choose to Walk the Talk" of respect. This means not
just having a mission statement about respect. It is not about
making politically correct statements. It is about walking the
talk and modeling respect so that respectful behaviour becomes the
foundation of your organizational culture.
Isadore,
"Issy" Sharpe, founder of the Four Seasons Hotel
Corporation, which is consistently recognized as an Employer of
Choice, knows all about walking the talk of respectful leadership.
Issy realized his vision of success in business through passion
and relationship building. His leadership skills and philosophy of
a "culture of mutual respect" resulted in one of the
most successful hotel chains in history, with over 70 highly
ranked hotels around the world. 1
Issy
was a visionary business leader. From the start, he knew that his
most valuable asset would be his employees. He believed that if
his staff felt appreciated and esteemed, they would deliver
exceptional service and make hotel guests feel valued and
respected. He decided to make the "Golden Rule" the
cornerstone of the Four Seasons’ corporate culture. In case you
are wondering which Golden Rule we’re talking about here, it’s
the one many of us learned about in childhood: ‘Treat others as
you would like to be treated.’
Issy
didn’t make that decision because the law required him to do so.
His decision predated the legal obligation to promote respect and
dignity in the workplace by a good 25 years. He was a businessman,
and he made the decision to base his corporate culture on the
Golden Rule for one reason. He knew it made good business sense.
Apparently
so. Four Seasons Hotels has been named an "All Star"
company by Fortune magazine. It is one of only 18 organizations
that have been on the Fortune 500 "100 Best Companies to Work
For" list every year since the list first appeared in 1998.
It is also the only Canadian company to appear on that list.
Unlike many other ‘best company’ lists, The Fortune 500 list
is based solely upon employee input. It focuses on issues like
credibility, communication, respect, fairness, diversity and
camaraderie.
Why
is it that Four Seasons employees - chamber maids, bell hops, and
waiters – consistently place their employer on that list? What
is it that causes employees to line up to work at the hotel? What
factor is responsible for the average 15 year term of service
among their senior executives and general managers? According to
Nick Mutton, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, it is
the workplace culture. "We have worked very hard to build a
culture where our people feel as respected and cared for as our
guests …" 2
At
the Four Seasons, the Golden Rule has never been a paper strategy.
It is a deeply felt ethical belief, a leadership philosophy that
is reflected in every business practice, and demonstrated by every
employee in the corporation, from senior management through to the
front line and around the world, regardless of nationality.
Issy
Sharp sold the Four Seasons hotel chain in 2006. However, he has
not lost any of his passion for promoting his vision of a
respectful workplace culture. He chose to stay on as CEO. After
more than 40 years, Issy still walks the talk of respect. He
spends time every day talking to his employees, and not just those
that work in the executive offices.
One
of the fundamental aspects of respectful leadership is a genuine
interest and a willingness on the part of the leader to get to
know each and every member of his/her staff. Respectful leadership
involves accessibility and accountability. It demands ongoing
dialogue across hierarchical lines.
A
respectful workplace is an empowered workplace. Respectful
leadership involves a shift in the traditional balance of power
that exists in most organizations. A leader in a respectful
workplace culture leads by inclusion and example, not by bullying
or intimidation. He/she is not threatened by employees that show
talent and promise. Rather, he/she supports them so that they
thrive and excel - even if that means that they become a peer
rather than a subordinate.
In
a respectful workplace employees follow direction because they
respect their leaders, not because they are motivated by the fear
that disrespectful leadership causes. Employees are empowered to
contribute to the clearly communicated goals of the organization.
They know that their unique contribution is adding to their team
and their organization’s success. They know this because their
leader talks to them, and not just when there is a problem, or
because communication is required by a yearly performance
appraisal.
A Respectful
Workplace culture produces a true win/win outcome. Both the
business and the employees that work there succeed. In our tight
labour market, talented and savvy employees actively seek out
respectful organizations. And when they find them, they become
focused and committed long term employees. As the example of Issy
Sharpe and the Four Seasons Hotels demonstrates, making the choice
to "walk the talk" for a respectful workplace culture
can and will empower and benefit you, your fellow employees, and
the organization you all work for.
Footnotes:
1
Four
Seasons Hotels and Resorts is consistently ranked highest in the
luxury hotel segment in the J.D. Power and Associates North
America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study.
2
Best Companies’ Offer Diversity-Related Lessons, Rebecca R.
Hastings SPHR, SHRM On-line, January 2007.
About The Author:
Erica’s upcoming
book Road to Respect: The Path to Profit (How to Become an
Employer of Choice by Building a Respectful Workplace Culture)
will be available in 2009.
On May 22 Erica
will be presenting a webinar for BCHRMA based upon her upcoming
book. Participants will learn how adopting respect as a core
organizational value will result in business profitability and
success. Erica will discuss the core components of respectful
leadership that produce empowered and engaged employees.
Erica Pinsky
Inc. works with organizations to manage the complex issues of
discrimination, harassment, bullying and conflict in the
workplace. Erica is a powerful presenter, passionate about
promoting respectful workplace cultures where employees feel
engaged, comfortable and focused on their jobs. Whether she is
doing public speaking, providing workshops and training,
investigations, mediations or in one-on-one intervention, Erica
will bring results.
To learn more
about Erica please visit her web site at www.ericapinskyinc.ca
or email her at erica@ericapinskyinc.ca.
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